Label: meaning, definitions and examples

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label

 

[ ˈleɪbəl ]

Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

product

A small piece of paper, fabric, plastic, or similar material attached to an object and giving information about it.

Synonyms

sticker, tab, tag.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
label

In a metaphorical sense, it is used to categorize people or ideas, often with a negative connotation.

  • Don't label people based on their appearance.
  • She hated being labeled as just a 'housewife'.
tag

Can also refer to a keyword or label used to categorize digital content, like photos or blog posts.

  • Add a tag to your blog post to improve its searchability.
  • She tagged me in the Instagram photo.
sticker

Commonly used in informal settings, especially when talking about decorative or adhesive items.

  • She put a cute cat sticker on her notebook.
  • I got a sticker for participating in the event.
tab

Often used in digital or administrative contexts, indicating a section in software, documents, or files.

  • Click on the 'Settings' tab to change your preferences.
  • Keep the beer on my tab, I'll pay later.

Examples of usage

  • The label on the bottle said it was made in Italy.
  • The clothing had the size label sewn into the collar.
Context #2 | Verb

identify

To attach a label to something in order to identify or categorize it.

Synonyms

describe, mark, tag.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
label

Appropriate for providing a name or category for an item or group, often found on products.

  • The bottle had a label with nutritional information
  • She carefully read the label before buying the dress
tag

Commonly used for a piece of paper or other material attached to something, often for identification or providing information. It is also used in a digital context, such as tagging people on social media.

  • He forgot to remove the price tag from the shirt
  • She tagged her friend in the photo on Facebook
mark

Refers to making a visible indication or symbol to note something, such as highlighting or showing importance. It can also have a negative connotation when referring to damage or blemishes.

  • She marked the important dates in her calendar
  • The teacher marked the students’ tests with red ink
  • The table was marked by scratches
describe

Used when giving a detailed account of the characteristics or features of something or someone.

  • Can you describe what happened at the meeting? He described the scenery in vivid detail

Examples of usage

  • She labeled all the boxes with different colors for easy identification.
  • The files were carefully labeled and organized.

Translations

Translations of the word "label" in other languages:

🇵🇹 etiqueta

🇮🇳 लेबल

🇩🇪 Etikett

🇮🇩 label

🇺🇦 мітка

🇵🇱 etykieta

🇯🇵 ラベル

🇫🇷 étiquette

🇪🇸 etiqueta

🇹🇷 etiket

🇰🇷 라벨

🇸🇦 ملصق

🇨🇿 štítek

🇸🇰 označenie

🇨🇳 标签

🇸🇮 označba

🇮🇸 merki

🇰🇿 жапсырма

🇬🇪 ნიშანი

🇦🇿 etiket

🇲🇽 etiqueta

Etymology

The word 'label' originated from the Old French word 'labell' which meant a small strip or tag. The usage of 'label' evolved over time to refer to a small piece of paper or material attached to an object. In modern times, labels are commonly used for identification, categorization, and information purposes in various industries.

See also: lab, labium, labour.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,998, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.